06/13, 11:26am

Facebook Messenger for iOS adds video messages, 'Big Likes'

Facebook Messenger for iOS has received an update, offering new instant video sending and a "Big Likes" feature. Facebook Messenger allows users to access their Facebook messages without opening Facebook, and have conversations with friends that include stickers, private photo sending, group conversations and more.

04/28, 8:04pm

Facebook Messenger for iOS adds in-message video

Facebook's messaging app for iOS users has received an update, adding more ways to communicate with friends. Facebook Messenger v5.0 now includes the ability to send videos from a phone's camera roll; if sent a video, users can play it within the app. Also now supported is in-conversation photo sharing, improved search and shortcut access to stickers and bus fixes. Facebook Messenger is free to download through iTunes.

03/28, 3:10pm

Facebook updates Messenger app for iOS, adds Groups, forwarding

Facebook Messenger for iOS received an update yesterday, offering its users access to Group features, including a forwarding function. In v4.0, users can now create groups for the people one messages the most often, and name them, and set group photos. Messages and photos can be forwarded to someone who is not in a designated conversation thread by using a tapping gesture. Additionally, miscellaneous improvements to improve the app's speed and reliability have been included in the latest update. Facebook Messenger is free to download, and requires iOS 6.0 or later to run.

03/05, 10:05am

Vudu adding support for Google Chromecast to mobile apps, website

Vudu has revealed it will be adding support for the Google Chromecast to the streaming service in the future. Both the mobile apps for iOS and Android will gain the extra ability, including offering remote control through the app itself, with casting through the Chrome browser for Mac and PC also touted as part of the release. Though Vudu has yet to reveal a date, it is accepting registrations for beta testing.

12/23, 1:28pm

Cellular data access to Facebook free to users without data plan

T-Mobile will be offering users of its GoSmart Mobile prepaid wireless service free cellular data to access Facebook. The low-cost carrier is updating its plans in January, allowing all account types to access both Facebook and Facebook Messenger at no charge, regardless of whether or not there is inclusive data on the user's price plan.

11/14, 11:02am

Facebook Messenger updated for iOS 7, adds SMS

Facebook Messenger, a chat app for Facebook users, has received an update for iOS 7. Facebook Messenger allows users to read messages without opening Facebook, send photos privately, make free calls and more. Version 3.0 features a completely new design, optimized for iOS 7. Central to the update is that users can now message people that are not their Facebook friends, using SMS. Available for free, Facebook Messenger can be downloaded on iTunes.

10/29, 2:27pm

Redesigned Messenger distances itself from Facebook website

Facebook will be updating its messaging app for iOS and Android with a new design and functionality, as the social network moves to make Facebook Messenger a more general-purpose "mobile-to-mobile" messaging app. The next version of the app will be made available to a random group of Android users, before a full rollout over both platforms in the coming weeks.

04/19, 6:44am

Facebook adds VoIP calling to Android app in US.

Facebook has enabled its free voice calling feature in Facebook Messenger to Android users in the United States and around the world, months after the iOS version. After an initial roll-out in Canada and the UK, the Android version of Facebook Messenger allows users to tap the 'i' button on a contact, and then offers the Free Call option. The sudden release of the feature in the US follows the launch of the Facebook Home launcher, which introduces an Android overlay that allows for greater use of the social network.

04/12, 12:34pm

Messaging system from Facebook Home included without launcher

Facebook has rolled out part of its upcoming Facebook Home launcher in an Android app update, before the company released its new phone software initiative. Facebook Messenger (Google Play) now has the option to enable the Chat Heads pop-up contacts onto phones and tablets, without the need to install the complete Facebook Home suite itself.

03/25, 8:32am

Free voice calls via Facebook lands in Europe

Facebook has enabled Voice Over IP (VoIP) in its messaging app for users in the United Kingdom, and possibly other areas of Europe. After being launched in Canada in January before rolling out to the United States, the iOS version of Facebook Messenger allows users to call each other through the service instead of passing voice messages to each other as previously offered.

12/20, 6:57pm

Facebook tests measure meant to cut down on spam

The world's largest social network has spent the past several months tweaking and honing its messaging service, and now Facebook is testing a feature that would allow users to directly message users to whom they are not connected, so long as they pay a fee. In a blog post announcing new inbox filtering features, Facebook also tipped that it was conducting a small experiment to "test the usefulness of economic signals to determine relevance." In short, the feature would give some users the option to pay to have a message routed directly to the inbox of a user with whom they are not friends, whereas otherwise the message would go to the user's Other folder.

12/04, 2:12pm

Messenger app drops account requirement

Facebook announced today that it had altered its Facebook Messenger app to allow users to create Messenger accounts with only a name and a phone number. The alteration brings Facebook Messenger into the company of other SMS-replacement apps such as WhatsApp and Handcent, as users can now message contacts with just a phone number, as well as share photos with them. The social network rolled out the update to its Messenger app for Android today, and will be rolling out Messenger accounts over the next few weeks.

08/24, 6:26pm

Update now available for iOS and Android

Facebook today began rolling out an update to its Messenger app, bringing the app to version 1.9. The new update includes a number of user interface alterations, as well as a few new capabilities. It also brings the app into direct integration with Facebook's main app for the first time.

05/01, 6:00pm

Native version of existing iPhone app

An iPad-native version of Facebook Messenger is currently in early beta development, according to a report from 9to5Mac. The app, which functions as a broken-out chat service separate from the main Facebook iOS app, features Notification Center support and is currently an upscaled version of the iPhone app, which has been available since last summer. The app offers an iMessage-like data-based chat function for users signed into Facebook.

04/05, 8:25pm

Facebook Messenger lands big Android UI update

Facebook on Thursday posted a tangible update to Facebook Messenger on Android (Google Play). The new app significantly speeds up starting a conversation with individuals or groups, needing just a tap of the + button and the contact or the group option to get started. Android 4.0 owners also get better support, although what's changed isn't conspicuous in a brief test.

03/05, 2:20pm

Facebook Messenger for Windows now official

Facebook brought out its first proper desktop app Monday by posting Messenger for Windows. The minimalist title lets PC users keep track of conversations without having to keep a browser tab open and risk missing notifications. When not immediately involved in chat, it provides a light version of the Facebook ticker's stream of updates.

01/27, 4:25pm

RIM CEO hints BBM may be open to iOS and Android

RIM's new CEO Thorsten Heins has continued his interviewing with hints the company might not be as closed to the possibility of BlackBerry Messenger on other mobile platforms as once thought. He told CrackBerry that he was still committed to the core BlackBerry platform and there weren't immediate plans, but that the company "should never rule this [possibility] out." The company did have staff exploring the possibility, but it would only go ahead if it was logical.

12/30, 2:15pm

App finally makes it to Windows 7 desktops

Yesterday, an unofficial link to Facebook's Messenger for Windows 7
surfaced. Today, Facebook has responded by making an official download available (direct download). Desktops will be the last platform to have received the app, following dedicated releases for iOS devices, Android phones and tablets, BlackBerrys, and Windows Phones.